San Miguel’s Jericho Cruz vs TNT’s Paul Varilla during a looseball play. –PBA IMAGES
Jericho Cruz’s ejection for hitting Paul Varilla during a looseball situation marred San Miguel Beer’s skid-snapping 111-74 rout of winless TNT in the PBA On Tour held Friday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Cruz became the first player to get tossed in the exhibition series when he was handed a Flagrant Foul 2 with four minutes left in the third quarter when his right knee hit the head of Varilla, who was on the floor trying to protect the ball.
No untoward incident occurred, and Cruz was even interacting with Varilla, a former teammate at NLEX, when referees were reviewing the play.
Cruz had 20 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals before his ejection.
San Miguel was ahead 67-52 when play resumed, and the duo of Allyn Bulanadi and Marvin Lee bucked Cruz’s loss to double the gap against a depleted TNT side that had only eight players in uniform.
Lee topscored with 22 points while Bulanadi also scored 20 as the Beermen improved to 3-6 after five consecutive defeats.
The Beermen have been dealing with the absences of their main players either because of duties with Gilas Pilipinas or injuries, leaving coach Jorge Gallent with those who are still around along with players from their 3×3 team.
TNT lost for the sixth consecutive time as it is also playing minus some of its stars in the PBA On Tour.
Jaydee Tungcab scored 30 points for the Tropang Giga in a losing effort.
The scores:
SAN MIGUEL 111—Lee 22, Bulanadi 20, Cruz 20, Brondial 17, Javelona 9, Faundo 6, Dela Cruz 6, Baclao 4, De Vera 3, Apacible 2, Lazarte 2.
TNT 74—Tungcab 30, Cruz 21, Alfaro 8, Jopia 5, Montalbo 4, Varilla 4, Marcelo 2, Cuntapay 0.
Quarters: 29-23, 55-36, 83-56, 111-74.